Lady and the Wolf Read Online Free Page B

He’s nearly twice my age and always smells like garlic. I want someone young who is dangerous and dashing and can protect me and lavish me with his wealth.”
    He looked at her oddly and she knew now she should have chosen her words more carefully.
    “Dangerous? Lavish? What are you saying? I don’t like the way you’re talking.”
    “I meant nothing by it.” She looked down to her dressing table and toyed with her hairbrush. “I just meant that – I thought you’d want me to marry someone outside the castle. To secure alliances with your . . . enemies.” She closed her eyes, cursing herself already, but she couldn’t help saying it. She just kept thinking about Lord Hugh de Bar and how dangerous yet dashing he’d seemed last night. His kiss was something she wanted to experience again. She couldn’t deny it.
    “If you don’t like my suggestion, then tell me – who did you have in mind to marry?”
    She thought long and hard before she answered. She knew her grandfather hated Lord Hugh de Bar. The de Bars were their enemies. Mayhap he was right. The man and his army had been the ones to battle her father’s men at the bridge the night both her parents died. She should hate him just as much as her grandfather did. A man like Wolf couldn’t keep her safe, because he was their enemy.
    “Oh, I don’t know,” she answered and tried to change the subject. “So what time is the hunting party leaving today?”
    “They are leaving momentarily, but you won’t be going with them.”
    “What?” Her head jerked upward. This isn’t what she wanted to hear. She had to go to the woods to find out where the guard brought food every day. She was sure she saw a door in the knoll last night and if she didn’t go with the hunting party, she’d never be able to explore it. “Why not?”
    “You will be staying at the castle under the watchful eye of not one, but two of my guards. You, young lady, are up to something, and I will not stand for it.” He turned and quit the room, and Winifred was angry with him but didn’t want to show it. It was going to be hard enough trying to escape the watchful eyes of two guards, let alone try to sneak back into the woods undetected tonight.

Chapter 4
     
     
    Wolf waited and watched for two nights, but Lady Winifred had not returned. Then, on the third night, Arnon alerted him that the scent of the earl was strong in the air, and he knew that his plan had worked.
    He hurried through the bailey with Stefan on his heels.
    “My lord, mayhap this idea is a bit ill conceived. Do you really think bringing the earl’s granddaughter here is a good idea?” Stefan was Wolf’s right hand man and older brother, but his cautiousness at times became irritating. He was a great warrior and Wolf could always count on him to watch his back in battle. However, when it came to trying new things – the man was much too set in his ways for being only nine and twenty years of age.
    “Stefan, just stay here and watch the castle until I return, and don’t worry about what I’m doing.”
    “Your cloak, Lord Wolf.” His squire, Dolan, stepped forward from the shadows in the torchlight of the courtyard and slipped it around Wolf’s shoulders.
    “Lord Wolf, your horse,” said the stable boy, walking up and handing him the reins. Wolf got atop his horse raising his nose and sniffing the air. Winifred’s scent was on the breeze tonight, and he could smell it all the way across the moorlands. It was sweet, spicy and strong. Even stronger than the damned scent of that blasted cloak she wore that was dripping with her grandfather’s stench. Aye, Lady Winifred’s essence was very alluring.
    “Let me come with you,” said Stefan. “This could be dangerous. I am your brother and will protect you.”
    “Nay,” said Wolf with a shake of his head. “It’s bad enough I have one brother in danger, I’ll not risk the lives of two. You must stay here because the castle will be yours if anything